Winter towing tips. Friends of Engineer Aftercare Warranty, CaSSOA (The Caravan Storage Site Owners Association) have sent us some great tips if you are a more hardy adventurer and plan to to your Caravan this Winter. And remember, we have some great tips on cleaning and maintaining your Caravan or Motorhome from UK manufacturer ‘ValetPRO‘ on our Engineer Aftercare ‘News’ page.
Depending on where you live in the country, right now it’s either very cold, or borderline Siberian. You may have a blanket of snow, or perhaps snow is forecast. Either way, driving conditions are not good.
Towing in wintry weather can be hazardous, with longer stopping distances and reduced grip. The road safety experts at IAM RoadSmart have some tips for winter driving, many of which still apply when towing. We also have some advice of our own.
So read on for our guide to towing a caravan in winter!
If you can, stay put
“The best advice is to avoid travelling in extreme weather,” says IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman. “If no one is moving, you just add to the problem – so listen to travel advice.”
We’d second that. If the weather is really bad, with snow and ice making driving conditions difficult, rethink your touring plans. Either delay travelling by a day or two until the weather improves, or cancel the trip entirely and rearrange it once the weather has cleared.
Plan ahead
“If you do have to travel in bad weather, plan your journey thoroughly. Think about where you are going and what it will be like all the way along the journey. If you can, avoid travelling on less-used roads or country lanes as these are less likely to be gritted,” says Gladman.
Very narrow country lanes can be a challenge when towing a caravan at the best of times, but become treacherous if towing on snow. At this time of year it’s more important than ever to contact the campsite you are heading to and confirm the best way to approach the site, which may not be the most direct route. Sat navs are not always right when it comes to towing! The campsite warden can also give you an update on the weather conditions at your destination to help you decide whether or not to travel.
Prepare your car
“Before setting off, clear all your windows and mirrors fully. Clear off snow piled on the roof of your car and the bonnet too, as it can fall and blow on to the windscreen. Don’t leave anything obscured,” says Gladman.
All sound advice. Remember to fit towing extension mirrors (important all year round, not just in winter) and keep the surface of the mirror clean so you can see clearly.
Towing in wintry weather
IAM RoadSmart’s tips on how to drive in wintry weather apply to towing as well as solo driving. “Start your car gently from stationary and avoid high revs. If road conditions are extremely icy and you drive a manual car, you should move off in a higher gear rather than first gear. You should stay in a higher gear to avoid wheel spin,” says Gladman. He’s right of course, but starting off in a higher gear than first may not be possible if your car has to pull the extra weight of a caravan. It can take careful balancing of the clutch and throttle to pull away when towing on a very slippery surface.
“It’s important to get your speed right when travelling in snow. Never drive too fast that you risk losing control, and don’t drive so slowly that you risk losing momentum for getting up a slope,” he says.
“Increase your following distance from the vehicle in front of you. It may take up to 10 times as long to stop on snow or ice; build this into your following distance – this will give you more time to slow down using engine braking, which is less likely to induce a skid.
Make sure you slow down sufficiently before reaching a bend so you have enough time to react to any hazards that appear as you go round it – and so you do not skid as well. You should have finished slowing down before you start to turn the steering wheel.”
Expect the unexpected
When towing in winter, it pays to be prepared for bad weather and delays.
“At the very least you should have a shovel, torch, blanket, jump-leads and tow rope,” says Gladman.
“You should ensure your mobile phone is fully charged, and the number of your recovery organisation is saved into it. A bottle of water and a snack may also prove useful and don’t set out without knowing the locations of petrol stations on your way.”
The right tyres for the time of year
IAM RoadSmart’s advice focuses on what you can do if you are about to set off on a journey. But there are steps you can take well before the worst of winter arrives. Consider fitting winter tyres if you want to stay mobile all winter. They don’t just make a difference when there’s snow and ice about. They offer better grip once the temperature drops below 7°C.
Winter can be a magical time of year to be caravanning, with quiet campsites and crisp bracing weather. But when winter bites hardest, safety has to be the top priority. So if you do have a winter touring break planned over the next few days, pay close attention to the weather before you set off. And if you do decide it’s sensible to travel, take extra precautions to make sure you stay safe.
We would like to wish our customers and Caravan owners around the UK a wonderful, safe and healthy Christmas 2021!